By Admin 
Tariq Rahman: In the results of the general elections held in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Tariq Rahman has got a big victory. This election is the first after the violence of July 2024, which ended the long rule of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and she had to leave the country. Now everyone’s eyes are on whether the new government will move closer to India or lean towards Pakistan and China.
Tariq Rehman’s comeback story
60 year old Tariq Rehman comes from a big political family. He is the son of former President Ziaur Rehman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He left the country in 2017 following allegations of corruption and money laundering and remained in exile for nearly 17 years. He returned after his mother’s death in December 2025. A huge crowd welcomed his return. On the lines of the famous speech of American leader Martin Luther King Jr., he said from the stage, ‘I have a plan for Bangladesh’ and with this he started his election campaign.
India’s first step
On Friday morning, India took the initiative to congratulate the new leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tariq Rahman and his party on the victory and said that India wants a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. The message was simple, but its meaning was clear, India wants stable relations, leaving behind the turmoil of the last 18 months, growing closeness to China and Pakistan and attacks on minorities.
Why is India closely monitoring
This election is very important for India because which direction the new government takes can affect the politics and security of the entire South Asia. India is keeping its eyes on three things – first, whether a new alliance of Pakistan-China-Bangladesh should be formed. Second, border and internal security, especially illegal infiltration and tensions after Sheikh Hasina. Third, trade, although India has an advantage in this because it has a surplus of about 10 billion dollars and it supplies a large amount of raw cotton to the textile industry of Bangladesh.
Circumstances were different during Hasina’s era
During Hasina’s time, relations between Delhi and Dhaka were considered stable. Her party Awami League is out of this election and death penalty case is also pending against Hasina. His government worked with India on issues like trade, traffic, border security and water sharing. India definitely wanted him to remain in power, but now the reality has changed. Tariq Rahman himself has said that he will respect India’s interests, which marks a slight departure from his mother’s “Bangladesh First” policy. At present Delhi is on a wait and see policy.
Relief for India without Jamaat
A good news for India is that the fundamentalist organization Jamaat-e-Islami is not going to become a partner in the government this time. If this had happened, there could have been more tension in the relations and there would have been a danger of increasing trouble in North-East India through Pakistan.
Concern over Pak-China link
India fears that if Dhaka gets too close to Pakistan, the security of North-East India may be affected. China can also benefit from this, which has been claiming Arunachal Pradesh. China’s presence is already visible, especially in big projects like the modernization of Mongla Port. These projects may be in the name of business, but experts believe that China can also make them suitable for military use in future. Such examples already exist in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and this increases India’s concern.
What next?
Due to Jamaat’s stay outside, it is believed that Tariq Rehman’s government will not adopt a very confrontational path with India, although relations may be more transactional than friendship. That means it will take time for the picture to become clear, but it is certain that Dhaka’s direction will impact the politics of the entire region.